White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074
Eucopina tocullionana
This record describes Eucopina tocullionana (species). Recorded family: Tortricidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Heinrich original description is in PDF. Adult: forewing dark reddish-brown with large distinct orangish-yellow patches that often merge to create an irregular light-and-dark banding effect; hindwing brownish-gray with pale fringe; top of head yellow Larva: grub-like; thoracic segments light greenish-brown; abdominal segments yellowish with no distinct dark patch (anal shield) on top of last segment [present in larvae of Shortleaf Pine Cone Borer ( Eucosma cocana )]; head dark brown Can be a pest in seed orchards.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Tortricoidea
- Family
- Tortricidae (Tortricid Moths)
- Subfamily
- Olethreutinae
- Tribe
- Eucosmini
- Genus
- Eucopina
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Pine trees; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light.
Geographic Range
Minnesota to Quebec, south in the Appalachians to northern Georgia. Type locality: Lyme, CT (A.B. Champlain).
Seasonal Activity
The main flight period is April to August. Larvae in May and June; pupation occurs in July.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on second-year cones of Eastern White Pine ( Pinus strobus ) and Virginia Pine ( P. virginiana )
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eucopina tocullionana. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jeff Hollenbeck; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Tony-2 , Maury Heiman , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074
What is White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074?
White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074 (Eucopina tocullionana) is a species in the family Tortricidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074?
Heinrich listed the wingspan 13-15 mm. Moth Photographers Group displays one specimen with 18 mm wingspan.
How do you identify White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074?
Heinrich original description is in PDF. Adult: forewing dark reddish-brown with large distinct orangish-yellow patches that often merge to create an irregular light-and-dark banding effect; hindwing brownish-gray with pale fringe; top of head yellow Larva: grub-like; thoracic segments light greenish-brown; abdominal segments yellowish with no distinct dark patch (anal shield) on top of last segment [present in larvae of Shortleaf Pine Cone Borer ( Eucosma cocana )]; head dark brown
Where is White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Pine trees; adults are nocturnal and attracted to light. |
| Range | Minnesota to Quebec, south in the Appalachians to northern Georgia. Type locality: Lyme, CT (A.B. Champlain). |
What does White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074 eat?
The diet of the White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074 includes larvae feed on second-year cones of Eastern White Pine ( Pinus strobus ) and Virginia Pine ( P. virginiana ).
When is White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074 active?
White Pine Cone Borer - Hodges#3074: seasonal activity - The main flight period is April to August. Larvae in May and June; pupation occurs in July..